Setup cost
Even no-cost analytics products can require configuration, QA, consent review, and reporting cleanup.
Is Google Analytics free if privacy work still costs time?
The software price is only one part of analytics cost. Teams also spend time on setup, consent, reporting clarity, and privacy review.
Privacy cost
Teams may still need to check cookies, third-party scripts, and policy claims.
Support cost
Paid tools can be worthwhile when activation, audit, and dashboard clarity matter more than a free sticker price.